Silvertone guitars have, over the years, lent themselves to countless experiments: a new bridge, some new tuners, a new paint job, new pickups, neck swaps, pickguard decoration, removal or replacement, minor tweaks and major surgery.

Silvertones weren't as precious back then, so the temptation to make 'em over was not squelched by the high cost of the instrument. It's like that line from "The 6 Million Dollar Man" was running through these guitar doctors heads: "We can make it better... stronger... faster."

Well, they certainly made them different.

<==Click the thumbnails for galleries of each Frankentone